The SFSC Cross Country Invitational began Saturday morning at Panther Field, Highlands Campus.

The SFSC Cross Country Invitational began Saturday morning at Panther Field, Highlands Campus.

AVON PARK, Fla.–Oct. 5, 2015–South Florida State College’s new Cross Country team dominated its first home event with Lady Panthers taking five of the top six spots.

The SFSC Cross Country 5K Invitational was held Saturday, Oct. 3, at Panther Field with the Lady Panthers competing against Chipola College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Warner University. A total of 29 runners participated in the race.

SFSC runners finished in five of the top six spots. They were Grace Miller, first; Cali Gumpel, second; Julia Soto, third; Charlene Sanchez; Alexis Armstead, fifth; and Savannah Walter, sixth. Charlene Sanchez of Pasco-Hernando State College was fourth.

Coach Krista Schult was pleased with the results to what she described as a successful first home meet.

“The Lady Panthers went on their home course and all ran with confidence,” Schult said. “Our goal for the day was to beat Pasco-Hernando, because on paper, we were only supposed to beat them by one point. However, the Lady Panthers came together as a team and ended up beating them by almost 30 points! We are moving in the right direction, and hope to continue to improve in the last couple meets of the season.”

The Lady Panthers are now ranked 18th in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Grace Miller cross the finish line first, winning the SFSC Cross Country Invitational for the Lady Panthers.

Grace Miller cross the finish line first, winning the SFSC Cross Country Invitational for the Lady Panthers.

SFSC Invitational Cali Gumpel Second

Lady Panther Cali Gumpel (right) finished the SFSC Cross Country Invitational in second place.